Mrs. Q: Book Addict

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Friday, December 9, 2011

Review: Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Pages: 167

Source: Publisher

Lena Markham is ready to move on. She's recently been released from prison after serving eight years for a crime she didn't commit. She's looking to start over, and get her life back on track. While she's been in prison her parents have passed on, her husband has run off with his good name, her money and a new mistress. Lena finds herself paroled during the holidays, and she leaves prison with the clothes on her back, a one-way bus ticket to a new town, sixty-five dollars in cash, and a prearranged boardinghouse accommodation. When Lena sits down on the bus, lonely and starving she never could have guessed how her life would change. An elderly lady named Moira sits down beside her, recognizes her desperation and takes a leap of faith. Moira becomes her friend. Lena receives some clothing and a second-hand red coat from Moira that soon helps land her a job as Mrs. Clause in the local department store. Lena's life begins to starting looking up, she makes good friends, enjoys her day-to-day life but of course you can't always run from your past...

This is the third Melody Carlson Christmas book that I've read, and each one seems to get better and better. I look for certain things in a Christmas book, I want a short read, a good story and a strong message. Melody Carlson delivers each of these things flawlessly. I was rooting for Lena that whole way through, I wanted her to succeed, I wanted her to beat the system. This book was a very heartwarming, and I highly recommend it. This is a story about second changes, and the holiday spirit. Melody Carlson's Christmas books are really great.

This was a book that I was determined to read last year for the holidays, but I ended up going with the Wally Lamb Christmas book. I think this year might be the perfect time for it though, and will be considering it once again. Great review on this one. I am glad you liked it!

I like reading Christmas stories, but because December is so crazy I agree, it's nice to have short reads while still enjoying the satisfaction of a quality moral or story! Thanks for a new holiday book idea to add to my list!

I LOVE Melody Carlson! Her book, Christmas at Harrington's was GREAT! I could feel what the main character felt, her ups and downs. She had great strength, given her situation! I don't know that I could get through what she did, and with such finesse! I could relate to all the characters! The author has a great way with her writing to really pull you into her story! This story was wonderfully told! It was NOT 'hoaky' at all! Very realistic! There was one place I thought it 'could' go hoaky, and it didn't! I was SUPER pleased with this book! I want to read MORE by this author! I have one other Christmas book of hers, The Christmas Bus, and I hear that book is terrific, as well! I have it started and LOVE it so far!I LOVE the books you read! I have read a LOT of the same books as you, and we both thought the same way about the stories! I LOVE you book choices!I will be coming back to visit you over and over!I AM participating in your 2012 Debut Author Challenge!For one, thanks SO much for sponsoring it, AND, I am SOOOO glad you are because otherwise I may not have found your blog! I LOVE your blog!Oh - my favorite color is pink, too! You'll have to see my blog and you'll KNOW!!!Looking forward to MORE visits to your blog! And reading MORE reviews you write!Thanks SO much!Laurie Carlsonwww.lauriehere.blogspot.comlaurieisreading at gmail dot com

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Mrs Q Book Addict

Welcome to Mrs Q Book Addict!

I love to read, review books, and share my opinions with others. I mostly review adult literary fiction. I love escaping into the world of books, and have always been an avid reader. When in doubt, bring a book!